Hot-hitting Carp rewarded with increased playing time

BALTIMORE -- As expected, a night after Mike Carp seemed to revive the Red Sox offense with a two-out battle that eventually led to a three-run Stephen Drew home run, John Farrell wrote the name of Carp in his lineup for a second straight day. It's t

BALTIMORE -- As expected, a night after Mike Carp seemed to revive the Red Sox offense with a two-out battle that eventually led to a three-run Stephen Drew home run, John Farrell wrote the name of Carp in his lineup for a second straight day. It's the first time he's been in the lineup on back-to-back days since July 7-8.

"We've been trying to find some offense -- different things, different matchups," Carp said. "I've been in there back-to-back days. It doesn't mean it's not going to change tomorrow."

To hear John Farrell say it, though, it might not change tomorrow -- or, at least, Tuesday or Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners.

(Jonny Gomes figures to be in left field against Tampa Bay's David Price on Monday.)

Daniel Nava has been the primary left fielder against lefthanded pitching, but with Nava scuffling and Carp seemingly producing every time he's in the lineup, Farrell didn't mince words about his desire to get Carp on the field more often.

"He's earning the ABs," the manager said.

Carp has seven hits -- including two doubles -- in 11 at-bats since the All-Star break. He's hitting .375 with a .441 on-base percentage and a .650 slugging percentage since June 1, and that's in sporadic playing time -- generally a more challenging situation for a hitter. He went 0-for-2 with a walk on Sunday afternoon.

In contrast to his time in Seattle, when he felt like he should have played more than he did, Carp hasn't had an issue with his limited time behind the likes of Gomes, Nava and first baseman Mike Napoli.

"Not with a team like this," he said. "It's fun coming to the ballpark regardless of whether you're in the lineup or not. Each day, something exciting, something fun is going to happen. You just hope you can be that guy to get the opportunity."